AimThe aim of the study was the subjective assessment of the quality of life (QoL) of 140 patients treated with dialysis (peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis).BackgroundChronic kidney disease and the methods of its treatment play an important part in shaping the QoL of patients receiving dialysis. As a result, kidney failure causes many limitations in patients’ physical, mental, and social activities.MethodsThe instrument to measure the QoL was the authors’ own questionnaire made on the basis of Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form version 1.2 (KDQOL – SF 1.2) and their selection of areas influencing the perceived QoL of chronically ill patients.ResultsThe research showed that patients receiving peritoneal dialysis assessed their QoL in its different dimensions as much higher than patients receiving hemodialysis. The parameter having the biggest negative impact on the QoL of patients receiving hemodialysis was an impeded possibility to continue work or studies and a change of life plans. The will to live was more highly assessed by patients receiving peritoneal dialysis as compared to patients receiving hemodialysis.ConclusionIn order to improve the functioning of hemodialysis patients in a manner most similar to healthy persons, the renal replacement therapy should consider patients’ individual needs and expectations, ie, guarantee flexible hours of work or study and of receiving dialysis. In addition, patients treated with hemodialysis should receive psychological care, in particular those demonstrating emotional problems, in order to achieve better results in therapy and improve their QoL.

No abstract

AimAssessment of factors affecting the degree of illness acceptance in patients with epilepsy and determination of whether the diagnosis of epilepsy influenced the functioning of this population group.Materials and methodsThe Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and authors’ own questionnaire were used in this study. The study included 264 patients with epilepsy aged 20–40 years. The study was carried out during the period from June 2015 to June 2016. Participants were recruited through multiple channels, including online websites, a forum for people suffering from epilepsy, and from a neurological outpatient clinic in Warsaw.ResultsThe mean value for overall rates of illness acceptance for all patients was 25.05±5.23, which indicated a mean level of illness acceptance of the patients. A significant correlation was observed between the results on AIS and the marital status of patients (P=0.04541). However, statistical analysis did not support the significant association between the illness acceptance and other socio-demographic factors and clinical aspects (P>0.05 in all cases). An analysis of the correlation between the level of illness acceptance and taking life decisions by the patients showed that the only statistically significant difference was the influence of an illness on the decision about marriage (P=0.032383).ConclusionThe problem of illness acceptance is often addressed in scientific research. It seems to be difficult to attain the state of full illness acceptance, especially in a situation when a number of changes have to be made in a patient’s current life and everyday functioning. It can be argued that illness acceptance has a positive meaning because it entails benefits resulting from better mental and physical comfort of a patient. The time needed for the attainment of full illness acceptance is individual for every patient and also depends on many factors.

No abstract

Background: Studies show that dysphagia is a common problem in patients with demyelinating diseases. However, there are no published studies on dysphagia in this group of patients, which would include the individual phases or the safety and effectiveness of the swallowing process. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of swallowing disorders and to characterize them based on subjective assessment by the study subjects with multiple sclerosis and Devic's syndrome. Method: The study included 72 patients (47 F, 25 M). Patients at risk of dysphagia were identified using the DYMUS, EAT-10 and SDQ questionnaires. To assess the type of oral-and pharyngeal-stage dysphagia, questions in the questionnaires were classified into groups according to symptoms typical of each stage. Results: The risk of dysphagia and the need for instrumental examination were identified in 37.5% of the study subjects. Pharyngeal-stage dysphagia (repeated swallowing, increased effort of swallowing, cough, a feeling of food sticking in the throat) was reported to occur at a significantly higher frequency. However, no differences were found between difficulty in swallowing liquids and difficulty in swallowing solid food. Conclusion:There is a need for further research, which should include a detailed dysphagia-oriented diagnosis, with a view to gaining a detailed insight into the pathophysiology of deglutition in this group of patients.